The elusive howler monkey. I’ve been on the lookout for a glimpse in and around my hood.
Working around the garden today, I heard a rustling that was out of the norm. Sure we have birds and squirrels constantly moving about, but this time it was rather brash. I stood for a while scanning the trees behind our terrace where the canyon descends. There it was, a lone howler monkey just relaxing on a branch. I was so excited! I’ve been hoping that our new neighborhood was a habitat for them. It didn’t pay any attention to me. Craig and I tried to catch its attention, it turned towards us and back again.
We also get to watch the hummingbirds, which are a constant sight. We strategically placed a feeder hanging from a tree branch on the terrace. As we sit outside they come to the feeder. As their rapid wings hover about, it sounds like a small engine. It is so amazing.
We have also witnessed some incredible feats of strength. This tiny ant carrying a large leaf trudges on to its destination inside a hidey hole on the outer terrace wall.
Then there are the very tiny ants that find their way into your home. You don’t even know they are there. Today I cut up some leftover banana bread that I had been saving in the freezer. It seemed like a good day to get it out. Placing it on the kitchen counter covered in saran wrap, I never gave it another thought. I wasn’t diligent about putting it in the refrigerator soon enough. I felt like a piece so I uncovered the wrap and tiny little ants were crawling all over it. Ugghhh!!! Having never lived in a tropical climate, I can see that I need to be more careful in the future.
And then there was the skinny green snake we saw slithering along the terrace by the patio door. It seemed to be as afraid of us as I was of it! We could not get a better picture because it hightailed it real quick when we walked outside. According to our pamphlet of Panamá wildlife, it looks like it could be a Satiny Parrot snake which is mildly venomous. (So not looking forward to seeing my first scorpion!)
Other frequent visitors are a plethora of butterflies, colorful birds and birds of prey, who fly across the canyon in search of its next meal.
